Complete newb to Alberta fishing - Wabamun

[saskminer]

Hi all,
Been a long time out of the water but turning 60 in a couple of weeks so I decided to start fishing again. I bought a fishing kayak, license, and the all important life jacket is next. The wife and I are going to camp at Wabamun PP 2 weeks from now to celebrate my birthday so I'm gonna try fishing on the lake.
Any suggestions on gear and technique? Everything I own is geared to fly fishing mainly for trout.
I have a couple of cheap fishing rods, not sure if they'll work or what to use. Also thinking of buying a fish finder, maybe the Garmin Striker 4?

My visa card is handy and Crappy Tire is just down the road.

[Lunkerhunter]

Casting or trolling crank baits or spoons should hook you up with some pike without needing to invest in anymore gear. I don’t actually fish that lake so sorry I can’t be more specific.

Fish finders are a great piece of equipment if you’re going to get serious about fishing. I recommend getting one that can be used for ice fishing and open water to get more bang for your buck if you think you might get out during winter.


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[saskminer]

Thanks. I was an avid fly fisherman in BC until I moved to the prairies 15 years ago. My kayak fishing will be near shore only since I'm not comfortable in deep water yet. Nearly drowned when I was 10 and been nervous around water ever since!

[slamilton]

You cant go wrong with the Striker 4 but get the Plus as it has a little bigger screen and higher quality. You can also get an ice fishing transducer if you plan to do that. You may want to google how to install the transducer on your specific kayak as it could be a pain.

As for fishing I have never done Wabamun but you cant go wrong with a 5 of Diamonds for pike. Pike are easy to catch so you dont need to invest in a bunch of new gear. You may want to up your line test though.

[dryflyguy]

By all accounts, Wabamun is a cesspool right now, so hopefully it clears up by the time you head out there!

Had good success with walleye in the bay by the PP, just jigging with minnows or leeches in 6-10' of water. If you're up for it, you might be able to get into some whitefish near the train trestle, set up with a bobber and wire worm

[saskminer]

Originally Posted by dryflyguy

By all accounts, Wabamun is a cesspool right now, so hopefully it clears up by the time you head out there!

Had good success with walleye in the bay by the PP, just jigging with minnows or leeches in 6-10' of water. If you're up for it, you might be able to get into some whitefish near the train trestle, set up with a bobber and wire worm

My wife asked about the water quality. hmm cesspool doesn't sound that attractive. Still gonna try to catch something. I'll be heading to Cabela's in Edmonton before camping to buy a few small items.
Thanks to all for the guidance.

[Fradaburidi]

Originally Posted by saskminer

I'll be heading to Cabela's in Edmonton before camping to buy a few small items.

[saskminer]

Yep, it might hurt no matter where I go. I promised my wife I'd sell some of my extra tools on FB Marketplace to pay for my new hobby. It's a good thing because I have 2 sheds and a garage full of tools I seldom (never) use.

[Mr Flyguy]

If you want to stick to fly fishing gear try for whitefish in the trestle areas after mid-October. Floating line, wire worm, sweetened with a white maggot or two ups the odds.

[Mr Flyguy]

Originally Posted by Mr Flyguy

If you want to stick to fly fishing gear try for whitefish in the trestle areas after mid-October. Floating line, wire worm, sweetened with a white maggot or two ups the odds.

Oh, dead drift is important. Just strike when the line twitches!

[stob]

Paddle to be 200' off the town dock..out another 100' and paddle back...bottom bouncer...floating jig head...minnow..pce of a balloon to keep it on...you will catch the same walleye all day

[lyallpeder]

I mounted a rod holder on my kayak, and I like tolling a walleye rig with 1/2 oz in line weight (not a bottom bouncer) then a walleye rig, and use zman plastics. Electric chicken and nuked chicken have been my favorite this year at a couple Alberta and Manitoba lakes.